While i understand that OXM overhypes games (for instance in this issue they say Prey has great multiplayer that everyone will be playing on Live) but the writeup on Shadowrun is kind of interesting. It has definately piqued my interest enough to hold out hope for the thing.

Also, the cart racing in the new MK game looks funny as hell.

New Forza 2 video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Eb29X25eI

Well, I just got a free pizza and 1000 MS points. I signed up(last week) for the "host an arcade party" promo MS has/had going on and got the codes this morning. Worked like a charm.

Congrats!

Quick question: I've been playing my 360 games for a while under a certain profile on my console. I just signed up on Live recently, and that Gamertag was taken. I then signed up with a different one. Is there anyway I can transfer my points and games under my original profile to the one that I use to connect with Live? It would be nice to have all of my games and points be viewable on Live.

I signed up last week also, did they mail you the codes or was it email?

^ email.

I have some questions concerning HDTV and the 360 connection options.

I'm planning on buying an LCD HDTV soon, and I'd like to get a 360 also. Now, the sets I'm looking at have a resolution of 1360x768. Apparently, the display will upscale 720 to 768, so I could just use component cables. However, I think I would get better results if I use VGA, because there's an option for 1360x768 when using that. That way, the game would be rendered in 1360x768 rather than upscaled, right? That should be better because not only will the game be using a slightly higher resolution, but also possible upscaling artifacts wouldn't be present.

Is there a way to use the component cable for 1360x768? If it just does 1280x720, I think I'll get the Core system and VGA cable, since the hard drive is $50 at Wal-Mart.

Even with the harddrive as 50$ getting a wireless controller runs around 50$. The core system comes with a wired controller whereas the premium pack comes with a wireless. I can't imagine wanting a wired one after playing with a wireless one.

The Core doesn't come with a headset either, if I remember correctly

You will only get 1360 x 768 through the vga cables. You are always better off using the native resolution of your display. With that, I doubt you will notice a big difference between 768 with vga cables vs. 720 with component. Either will look great.

For those wannabe thugs out there:

The Saint's Row Demo will be released over Xbox Live on August 1st at 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST.

http://developer.saintsrow.com/news/...o_on_xbox_live

Does anybody else have Half-Life 2 for the Xbox? When I play it on my 360 I get extreme lag. It's especially annoying since it's only single player.

Unfortunatly you might be out of luck, call 360 tech support they might be able to help you migrate the information.

I wonder how big the saints row demo will be. I also need to go today and buy another MS Points card, SF2 is tommorow night!

If it's the same as in this month's OXM, it is pretty lengthy. I seem to remember 2-3 missions. Took about 45 mins to play.

Sain'ts Row demo is on the marketplace.

Downloading it now. Its 904 megs.

I just want to add that MS is Kicking BUTT with XBL right now. Its so well done and so much recent content, that the ps3 has a LOT to live up to if it wants to compete for online marketplace supremecy.

Also downloading it now. Wish it was a bit smaller, downloading it at work and our network connection SUCKS.

This and Dead Rising are going to keep me very happy this month.

Yeah, I guess I will D/L the Saint's Row demo, even though I have the OXM.

Why? Is this demo different than the OXM disc?

To load it off the hard drive and not the disc?

Just played it for about 30 minutes. I think it is pretty damn fun, although it could use a bit of polish. Those ragdoll physics are extremely weak.

In other news, the achievements for Hold 'Em are out:

http://www.achieve360points.com/game/texasholdem/

Decent list, some toughies like:

Luck of the Draw - Get one of every type of hand from High Card to Royal Flush.

Winning Streak - Win 10 hands in a row.

I've been reading about how they're going to do it and if it's true, it should be well done. You won't have unlimited play money. If you run out, you have to compete in free tournaments to earn more. And of course, the better tournaments require the play money. I hope it's true. They could make it really cool with some effort.

No, just more convienent....I don't have to get the disc out to play. I like my demos close to me